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Interfacial performance enhancement of carbon fiber/epoxy composites by a two-step surface treatment

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Abstract

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) have many features, such as lightweight, high specific strength, and excellent chemical resistance. However, the adhesion at the interface of the CFRPs, which are composed of fiber and resin, is poor. Thus, de-lamination and interfacial peeling occur, and the mechanical properties, such as intrinsic strength and rigidity, decrease. Fiber surface modification by plasma and silane coupling treatments has attracted much attention to improve these properties. In this study, argon and oxygen mixed gas plasma treatment was used as pretreatment to introduce hydroxyl group on the fiber surface. This method was utilized to improve the adhesion between the fiber and resin. A silane coupling treatment was conducted to bond the carbon fiber and epoxy resin by chemical covalent bonding. The effect of silane coupling treatment on the interfacial property of CFRPs was investigated. Elemental analysis of the surface modified carbon fiber was explored through energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The functional groups of different carbon fiber surfaces were analyzed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The wettability of the treated carbon fiber was examined with a contact angle meter. The interlaminar shear strength was determined with a short beam method.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (Grant number JP17K14560), Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Systems Science and Technology, Akita Prefectural University, Yurihonjo, Japan

    Jian Shi, Yuji Yamamoto & Mamoru Mizuno

  2. Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Japan

    Chunhong Zhu

Authors
  1. Jian Shi
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  2. Yuji Yamamoto
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  3. Mamoru Mizuno
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  4. Chunhong Zhu
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Correspondence to Jian Shi.

Additional information

Jian Shi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Akita Prefectural University, Yurihonjo, Akita, Japan. He received his Dr. degree in Engineering from Shinshu University in Ueda, Nagano, Japan. His research interests include advanced fiber-reinforced polymer composites and functional nanomaterials for composites, biomaterials, and energy.

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Shi, J., Yamamoto, Y., Mizuno, M. et al. Interfacial performance enhancement of carbon fiber/epoxy composites by a two-step surface treatment. J Mech Sci Technol 35, 91–97 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-1208-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-1208-y

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